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Story: As It Was

“You’re cruel.”
“Wanna take the bet?”
“Absolutely I do,” she said.
“I’m sure we’ll figure that out tomorrow, princess. But for now, you should look out your window.”
She did, and her jaw dropped when she saw the square illuminated with fairy lights. Everything was warm and cozy, even the closed library.
“It’s like Christmas. Do they decorate this early?”
“Nope. They’re up year-round. No one wants to take them down.”
“But they’re all working. Someone has to maintain that.”
“No one here cares enough.”
“I think you and I both know you’re wrong about that.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. She was right. People in this town cared about each other.
But only about the onesinthe town.
We pulled up to the bar and saw people mingling inside, Hugh by the door.
“Here we go,” I muttered. “Stay here.”
I wasnotletting the crankiest old man in town see me act like a dick. I got out of the truck and started walking toward the passenger-side door.
“Am I dreaming?” Hugh called. “Or are you out of your house?”
“No. You’re not.”
“Since when do you go to bars?”
I tugged on the door handle. “Sinceshedragged me out to one.”
Mollie slowly slid out, eyes on Hugh. She already had that damn smile on her face.
“No freakin’ way. The new girl got Cain Smith too?”
“More like I dragged him here,” she said. “Hi, I’m Mollie.”
“You look familiar,” he said. “Have I met you before?”
“She’s Bennie’s granddaughter,” I mumbled.
“What brings you out to Strawberry Springs?”
“She owns the farm, Hugh.”
“And youlikeher?”
“Somehow.”
Hugh narrowed his eyes. “So, what’s going on with you two, then?”
“Nothing,” Mollie said. “Just two roommates having a friendly night out.”

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